It has been three days since the canal defense camp was completed, and in just three days, Pang Zi has almost developed a habit of waiting for a while at the intersection west of the village at sunset every day. Pang Tianshuo and several other brothers were sent out by Pang Zi to contact a few strands of Taihang Mountain, so that they could find a temporary place to live in the west first. In the past few days, Pang Zi has also studied the geographical environment of Nangong County, and Tianjin is to the east. The old nest of the Beiyang Army, relying on the past is to send it to death.

To the south is the Shandong Canal Zone, where there are many forces of all kinds. None of these forces are good at stubble, and no one can accept the sudden emergence of a large number of forces with horses and guns on their territory. If Pang Zi took his brother here, he wouldn't even have to go too far to start fighting. And one of the reasons why Pang Zi definitely can't go east is that the fifth town of the Beiyang Army is located in Jinan Mansion. Pang Zi couldn't avoid the Beiyang Army, let alone take the initiative to rely on the Beiyang Army.

It is not possible to go to the north, the north is the scope of the capital, and it is even more self-defeating to take the initiative to rely on the past.

Only to the west, to the Taihang Mountains, is the weak power of the imperial court. The brothers really hid in the mountains, and the officers and soldiers really might not be able to find them. But there is a big problem with hiding in the mountains, and the food supply cannot be effectively replenished. It's winter soon, and if Pang Zi rashly takes his brother to the mountains, he will just wait for the end of being frozen and starved to death.

Pang Zi's plan is very simple, find a lock to settle in Taihang Mountain. Pang Zi took a large amount of foster care to the west, and bought some food on the way, so that he could hide in Taihang Mountain for a winter. Although Pang Zi fought the canal defense camp, it was impossible for the officers and soldiers to stay in Xingtai for a few months anyway. If they can't find Pang Zi's whereabouts, they will all evacuate anyway. After the spring, Pang Zi returned to Nangong County. Although the dart game will definitely not work, it will be a winter. Pang Zi can make a lot of preparations, and it is also possible to contact Brother Wu Xingchen in Shandong in winter and create a career with those brothers in Shandong.

But so far, all this is just Pang Zi's imagination. From Nangong County to Taihang Mountain, it takes seven or eight days to go back and forth. Pang Zi felt that it would take ten days and half a month for Beiyang to come to Gaojiazhai. He was going to train his brothers for five or six days. After all, the days ahead will not be as easy as running darts.

Pang Zi led a team of horses to practice outside the village every day. Charge, return, return, charge. The brothers had to train not only the queue, but also the guns. Pang Zi was distressed about the ammunition, and the more than 200 people under his command who were the backbone now had 300 guns, but the ammunition was only more than 3,000 rounds for the poor baba, and most of them were captured by the canal defense battalion. Practice shooting can also only be done with old-fashioned muskets. In these years, it is not easy for all armed forces to get a few muskets, and it is even more difficult to ensure the supply of ammunition. Even with old muskets, ammunition is not so easy to replenish. After two or three days of training, many guns had run out of ammunition.

The people of Gaojiazhai were persuaded by thirteen members of the peasant association to evacuate to other places. Pang Zi saw the old man Jing Tingwen standing in the courtyard of a village that refused to leave, and said in the characteristic loud voice of the elderly: "What are you afraid of if you don't leave? What's the picture? If you want to protect those things now, the officers and soldiers will not give you any leftovers when they come. If you are taken away by the government, you will get fifty taels of silver for ransom you back. You can't make this big money for that little money? ”

The old man was reasonable, and the officers and soldiers wreaked havoc in Gaojiazhai five years ago, and everyone still remembers the situation at that time. Although they don't want to lose a penny of their family's things, the people still feel that it is best to leave after weighing the gains and losses.

Two members of the peasant association had relatives in Fucheng, and they volunteered to take the people to Fucheng. But not many people followed them. It's a long way to Fucheng, with the whole family, and then with so many belongings, where can you run so far.

Most of them went to their relatives near Shili and Eight Townships to take refuge, and some went to Shandong. In short, the work of the peasant association was quite fruitful, and after three days, except for a few villagers who said that they were unwilling to leave, as long as they were willing to go. The members of the peasant union will surely get rid of them.

Pang Zi waited at the intersection on the west side of the village until it was getting dark, and then he wanted to go back to the village. saw Chen Tianhua and a large number of people pushing a wheelbarrow out. It's been almost a year since I came to Hebei, and Chen Tianhua's kung fu pushing the wheelbarrow is still not very good, that is, it is no longer crooked. When I looked closely, I saw that these people were the family members of the peasant association.

I don't know why, Pang Zi felt a little desolate in his heart. There are fewer and fewer people in Gaojiazhai, and the once lively Zhuangzi is now almost silent in the middle of the night, making people feel an indescribable discomfort. The last time he quarreled, Pang Zi deliberately avoided Chen Tianhua, but at this time he didn't want to continue to be angry, Pang Zi stepped forward and said, "Mr. Chen, are you going to leave?" ”

Chen Tianhua said calmly: "There are still five or six families left, and I think they mean that if the people of our peasant association don't leave, they won't leave." That's right, let's go first. Tomorrow, we will persuade again. They saw that the peasant union had gone, and if they refused to leave, I would have no choice. ”

After speaking, Chen Tianhua suddenly said to Pang Zi: "Brother Pang, thank you for keeping the agreement these days. They don't carry the people at all. I thank you all. ”

Regarding Chen Tianhua's "understanding", Pang Zi could only smile bitterly.

was about to say something, when suddenly a brother hurried over, Pang Zi knew that something was wrong, and he asked Chen Tianhua: "Mr. Chen is not coming back?" ”

Seeing that Pang Zi had lost the anger he had a few days ago, Chen Tianhua also smiled and said, "I'm not going to leave now." There's nothing else to do in the evening, I'm here to send everyone. I'll probably be back in the middle of the night. ”

"So where does Mr. Chen live now? Is it still in the peasant association? ”

"Yes, there are still some things to do there, and Uncle Jing and I are there."

"Okay, if I have time, I'll talk to Mr. Chen." After Pang Zi finished speaking, he followed his brother away. Chen Tianhua continued to push the wheelbarrow and walked out of the village with the members of the peasant association.

"Big brother, someone has escaped again!" It was Gao Songling who came, and he said anxiously, "It's not a way to do this." The brothers all know that they want to go, but let's stop here and don't do anything, everyone is impetuous. ”

Looking at Gao Songling's anxious appearance, Pang Zi thought to himself, are you impetuous? However, this is not the time to say this, Pang Zi and Gao Songling went to the vicinity of the jujube forest behind the village. Between more than a dozen people were surrounding the three brothers, and I faintly heard the brothers arguing, "When did Brother Huge pit us!" The third child, you ran away like this, are you worthy of the eldest brother? ”

"The Beiyang Army will come over immediately. If you don't run now, when will you run? ”

"Eating meat and drinking wine every day, are you confused? The Beiyang Army is afraid of a ball, we have guns and horses, what are we afraid of them doing? ”

"Can you win them with guns and horses? If he can win, what is Brother Dang going to run? Wouldn't it be okay to fight the Beiyang Army directly here? ”

"The Beiyang Army is about the same number as us, so we can win."

"There are tens of thousands of Beiyang troops, everyone has come up, can we withstand it?"

Listening to the fierce quarrel between the brothers, Pang Zi's face couldn't help but twitch.

Pang Zi didn't think about letting the villagers be with him, but the incident in Gengzi Nian gave Pang Zi a profound lesson, and he acted with a companion who was not of the same heart, and he was unlucky. That's why he tolerated the retreat of the villagers. But nothing will have only a positive effect, seeing the villagers leaving in large numbers, the hearts of the brothers in the dart game are fluctuating. Pang Zi is very clear about these people, and it is also a disaster to leave the people who want to beat them. Pang Zi simply said to the end, as long as the horses and guns were handed over, Pang Zi would send money to these people and let them go.

More than 30 people walked in the past three days, and more than a dozen tried to escape with guns and horses. Pang Zi had already taken precautions, and before these people could run far, they were caught, and they were dragged back and beaten in public. Then Pang Zi still gave them money and told these people to get out.

But as time went on, the number of brothers who wanted to leave without permission did not decrease. In the morning and afternoon, people tried to leave with their horses and guns without permission. Seriously, Pang Zi is not incomprehensible to these people, if he was in this position, he would definitely leave with horses and guns like these brothers. In these days, there is power only when there are horses and guns, and it is the same everywhere.

But as the leader of the dart game, even if Pang Zi could understand the hardships and reasons for his brothers to do this, he couldn't accept such a thing happening.

Gao Songling suddenly saw Pang Zi stop his steps, and he asked strangely, "Brother Pang, what's wrong with you?" Those boys are ahead. ”

Pang Zi sighed helplessly, he didn't feel excited at all, what could he do in the past, but just like everyone else, he slapped the boy a few times, and gave them money to let them go. Recalling the appearance of those brothers when they left in the past few days, they held back their grievances one by one, and even looked at themselves with resentment. Pang Zi didn't like to be like this with his brothers at all. Everyone has been working together for almost half a year, and how much friendship is in it. If you do it once, you won't want to see each other again.

"Songling, you go. Give them money and let them go. I don't want to see them again. After speaking, Pang Zi turned around dejectedly and went in the direction of his yard. But I heard Gao Songling sigh behind him.

Although he also wanted to make it clear to Gao Songling, Pang Zi didn't want to do it. What should have been said has already been said, go to Taihang Mountain to hide, next year's spring, and even don't have to wait until next year's spring, everyone can go to Shandong to meet Wu Xingchen and other brothers. These Pang Zi have not concealed it. Everyone is now strong and strong, and they will definitely be able to make a name for themselves in that place in Shandong. But no matter what Pang Zi says, there are brothers who have no confidence. Pang Zi didn't bother to say it again.

didn't go far, but he heard the shouts of the brothers from behind, and then Gao Songling shouted: "You guys who have no money, take the money and let me go." ”

Tianshuo, come back to me quickly. Pang Zi sighed in his heart.

After Pang Zi returned to his home, he couldn't sleep in bed. How did a good situation become like this after a victory? Even at this time, Pang Zi didn't want to admit that he was wrong to fight the canal defense camp. If you don't fight the canal defense camp and be blackmailed, the team of the dart board will still be distracted. If you want to mix in the road, you have to prove that you can hold the scene down. Otherwise, the people under it will definitely have other ideas.

It would be nice if the Beiyang Army was the same as the canal defense battalion, Pang Zi couldn't help but complain. In that case, he wouldn't have to be afraid of the shit. But having seen the Beiyang Army's autumn exercises in the river with his own eyes, Pang Zi knew that this was just a dream of his own. He tossed and turned, his heart trepidated. finally fell asleep, but I had a dream, the soldiers and horses of the Beiyang Army came like a tide, and before they could fight, Pang Zi woke up with a spirit.

Outside, there was silence, only the sound of insects chirping in late autumn. He was so distraught that he couldn't sleep anymore. Just get up and go out for a walk. A sentry has been set up in the village. But most of them have fallen asleep against the wall, and even those who are not asleep have their heads drooping downward. Pang Zi didn't bother to pay attention to them, and now it was impossible for the Beiyang Army to come here, so it was nothing wrong to let these brothers doze off.

I went to the horse pen and went to the place where the weapons were stored, and the brothers in these two places were quite in good spirits. Seeing that Pang Zi was coming, the brothers hurriedly said hello. Pang Zi just said a few perfunctory words casually and left.

After turning around, I arrived at the entrance of the village, but I saw that there was still a little light in the peasant association. Although it is only a little, it is so conspicuous in this dark and silent night. Looking up at the sky, it was probably late at night. Could it be that Chen Tianhua has already returned. Pang Zi wanted to turn his head and go back to sleep, but he couldn't get rid of the attraction of this light. After thinking about it, he still walked towards the peasant association.

The door of the peasant association's house was empty, and the crackling sound of the abacus could be heard outside. When I opened the door, I saw a candle lit on the table in the room. This candle was brought by Pang Zi. The three people at the table were startled when they heard the voice, and when they saw that it was Pang Zi coming in, Chen Tianhua, Pang Cheng, and Jing Chunzheng all looked surprised.

"You haven't slept yet." Pang Ziqiang said with a smile.

"Brother Pang, you didn't sleep either." Chen Tianhua said.

"I can't sleep." Pang Zi couldn't help but sigh, perhaps because he felt that his topic was too dull, Pang Zi forced himself to ask, "What is Mr. Chen?" ”

Chen Tianhua said with a smile: "Calculate the money of the peasant association, I will leave tomorrow, and I must calculate the money of the peasant association before leaving." ”

Pang Zi was very puzzled by Chen Tianhua's words, in his opinion, since the peasant association was presided over by Chen Tianhua, the money of the peasant association was about the same as Chen Tianhua's own money. At least Chen Tianhua should be in charge of the distribution. Therefore, Chen Tianhua refused to give the money of the peasant association to Pang Zi, and Pang Zi could understand it. I didn't expect Chen Tianhua to think so. This was a big surprise to him. But Pang Zi didn't come to talk about money, and he didn't want to talk much, and Chen Tianhua was too careful.

"Mr. Chen is leaving, I'm afraid he won't come back." Pang Zi asked casually.

"I will definitely return to Nangong County with other comrades in half a year." Chen Tianhua replied categorically.

Hearing this, Pang Zi felt that his mood was very complicated. For some reason, although this sound very outrageous, Pang Zi did not doubt Chen Tianhua's determination. Unlike Pang Zi, Chen Tianhua was not forced to leave because he offended the government, as long as the limelight passed, Chen Tianhua could come back at any time. And once Pang Zi leaves Nangong County, he doesn't expect to come back for a year or two.

Thinking of this, Pang Zi felt very depressed, when the villagers left, no one gave Pang Zi a friendly look, and everyone's eyes were full of blame. It was as if Pang Zi had committed some heinous crime. Thinking of this, Pang Zi felt very dissatisfied, he had earned so many benefits for everyone, had everyone forgotten it? I just had to make a mistake, and everyone didn't give up at all. Now even Chen Tianhua, a foreigner, can easily stay in Nangong County, but he can't do it as a local.

The more Pang Zi thought about it, the more angry he became, and he felt uncomfortable in his heart for a while, and he couldn't stay in this room anymore. He turned around and went out, but heard Chen Tianhua shouting, "Brother Pang, wait." Then Chen Tianhua rushed out.

"Brother Pang, when are you leaving?" Chen Tianhua asked.

"It's going to be a while."

"Brother Pang, I advise you to leave in the next day or two."

Chen Tianhua's expression couldn't be seen clearly in the dark night, but the tone of his words was very sincere. Pang Zi was in a bad mood and said coldly: "Mr. Chen, don't worry, Beiyang is afraid that he won't be able to catch up with me." After saying this, he suddenly became suspicious, "Could it be that Mr. Chen has gotten some news again?" Chen Tianhua got the news of the canal defense battalion before Pang Zi, and Pang Zi suddenly remembered this incident.

Chen Tianhua knew what Pang Zi was referring to, but he didn't think he had any problems, "I haven't heard any news." It's just that Uncle Jing said that if the Beiyang Army is dispatched, it will be there in about five or six days. It's been three days now, and I think Uncle Jing, as an old man, thinks more carefully than we do. I think Brother Pang might as well listen to it. ”

"Got it!" Pang Zi said in a long voice. He originally wanted to distract himself from the peasant association, but he didn't expect to make himself angry. Pang Zi snorted and left.

The next day, the only four remaining members of the peasant association were at the gate of the peasant association. Chen Tianhua carried a simple luggage, "Uncle Jing, you see that the Beiyang Army is coming, so let's leave quickly." He was very puzzled and uneasy about Jing Tingwen's insistence on staying in the farm.

Jing Tingwen smiled: "Housheng, you don't have to worry about me." I'm an old man, I won't live for a few days, and the Beiyang Army won't want my life. ”

Looking at Chen Tianhua's unrelieved appearance, Jing Tingwen patted Chen Tianhua on the shoulder, "Housheng, your uncle and I have eaten more meat in the past six months than in this life combined." Okay, I'm still waiting for you to come back and continue to eat meat with you. Don't worry. ”

Chen Tianhua knew that he couldn't persuade Mr. Jing Tingwen, and even if he stayed in Nangong County now, it was impossible to make any progress, so it was only right to hurry back to ask Chen Ke for help. In the past few days, everything that should be explained has been explained, Chen Tianhua picked up his package and said goodbye to the members of the peasant association, he turned over on the mule and embarked on the way home.